Creating Massing Models

Available with the Following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the Following Roles: All Roles

You can create representations of buildings and 3D objects using the cmBuilder Massing tool.

The Massing tool lets you create single or multi-storey structures to represent surrounding buildings or objects within your project. To use this feature, start by sketching the profile of the massing, then specify the number of storeys and the height of each storey to complete the model. You can then customize the profile, height, sequencing, etc. for each storey (or group of storeys) in your massing.

In this article we cover:

• Creating (Initial) Massing Model

• Editing Storeys

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• Storey Toolkit

• Adding Storeys

• Reference Storeys

• Multi-Edit Storeys

• Other and Advanced Use Cases

💡 Note: The previous Simple and Detailed Massing tools have now been unified into a single more versatile Massing tool for easier use.

Creating a Massing Model

To create your initial massing model:

1. Draw your massing profile:
   • Click on Buildings → Massing and use the Sketch Tools to draw the desired profile (at least 3 points).
   • Once the profile is complete, click Confirm.
2. Massing setup:
   • Set the desired number of storeys and storey height. The massing will automatically appear in the scene.
     • Ensure that the storey height is greater than 0.
     • As you add storeys, they will show up in the scene.
   • You can also customize the color of the entire massing. 

If you need to modify the massing sketch during creation, click Edit Sketch.

Once satisfied with the massing, click Confirm to finalize your changes.

Massing Table

The Massing Table shows a summary of all stories within your massing model. The bottom storey is the default reference storey, and the top storey is the roof, as indicated by the icons. You can use the table to customize your massing model in various ways, which we will cover in the following sections.

Each storey will initially have the same height and color, but can be adjusted in the table or side sheet.

Edit Massing Storeys

Each storey is unique, allowing you to customize its height, elevation, color, and sequence.

Edit Storey Height

To modify the height or elevation, simply double-click the corresponding cell in the storey row within the table.

The cell will enter edit mode. Enter the new value and press the Enter key to confirm. The edited cell will display an orange shade, while any values affected by the change will show a yellow shade.
For example, updating the height of the L3 storey will also adjust the elevation of the storey above it.

You can also adjust the height of a storey using the handle in the 3D scene. Click on the handle and slide it up or down to increase or decrease the height. Release the handle to apply the changes.

Edit Elevation

You can edit the elevation value in the same way. Changing the elevation of the L3 storey will impact both the height of the storey below it (L2) and the elevation of the storey above it (L4).

Edit Storey

Select a storey from the table to enable the "Edit Storey" button on the left. Alternatively, click on the 3 dot menu. Choose "Edit Storey" from the menu, and the side sheet will switch to the storey side sheet.

The side sheet will then switch to the storey side sheet, where you can update the height, elevation, color, and sequencing of each storey individually.

Massing Storey Toolkit

The following table provides a description of the storey tools.

Toolkit Button	Description
	Go to Parent Use this to go back to the main massing side sheet.
	Adjust Use this to activate the height handle of the storey.
	Properties Use this to see properties of the storey such as perimeter, area and volume.
	Edit Sketch Use this to edit the sketch for the storey.

Adding Stories to your Massing

Add Storey and Add Basement

When no storey is selected in the table, the toolbar on the left will display two options:

1. Add Storey
2. Add Basement

Add Storey

Clicking "Add Storey" will add a new storey to the top of the massing model.

Add Basement

Similarly, clicking "Add Basement" will add a new storey to the bottom of the massing model.

Add Above and Add Below

When a storey is selected, the button updates to "Add Above and Add Below". This option inserts a new storey directly above or below the selected storey.

Add Above

You can add a storey above in two ways:

1. Click "Add Above" from the left toolbar.
2. Click on the 3 dot button and select "Add Above" from the menu.

This action inserts a new storey directly above the selected storey.

Add Below

Similar to add above, but inserts a new storey directly below the selected storey.

The Reference Storey

Each massing includes a reference storey, which is the first storey above ground. Storeys above this are referred to as "Storeys," while those below are called "Basements." The highest storey is known as the "Roof."

Any storey can be set as a reference storey. However, the designated reference storey cannot be selected again as a reference, since it is already assigned that role.

Reference storeys cannot be deleted. To delete a reference storey, you must assign another storey as the reference first.

Updating a Reference Storey

1. Select the storey you wish to designate as the new reference storey.
2. Click on the three-dot menu and choose Make Reference Storey from the menu.
3. The selected storey will now become the reference storey, and the icon will update to reflect this change.

As a result, all storeys below the newly designated reference storey will be classified as basements.

Edit Multiple Storeys as a Group

You can select and edit multiple storeys together, allowing you to modify their sequencing, height, color, and sketch all at once.

How to Multi-Select: To multi-select storeys, hold the Ctrl key and click to select storeys from any of the following locations:

1. The model tree → Edit massing element

2. Site plan → Edit massing element

3. The massing sheet: Edit Storey from menu or Edit Storey button on left toolbar.

After you multi-select your storeys and click Edit Storey or Edit Massing Element, the edit interface will pop up.

Edit Sequencing

If the selected storeys have different start or end dates, you may see the label Multiple under the From and To fields. To align the start or end dates, simply click on the From or To field and select the milestone where you want the storeys to start or end. Once updated, all selected storeys will begin or end on the selected milestone.

Edit Storey Height

If the selected storeys have different heights, you will see the height as Multiple. 

Single-click on the height field, enter the new value, and the height of all selected storeys will be updated, making them uniform.

Edit Storey Color

If the selected storeys have different colors, you will see the color as Multiple. 

Click on the color block and choose a color from the color picker. The color of all selected storeys will then be updated, making them uniform.

Edit Sketch

1. Click on Edit Sketch.
2. Select a storey to use as the reference sketch. By default, the bottom-most storey sketch is selected.
3. Press Confirm to proceed and enter Edit Sketch mode.
4. Update the sketch as desired, and press Confirm again to apply the changes.
5. The sketch for all selected storeys will be updated, making them uniform.

Alternate and Advanced Use Cases

So far, we have looked at using the massing tool with creating building representations in mind. As it is basically creating an adjustable 3D shape, a Massing may be useful to create building elements, and even more detailed building representations as well. 

Massing can be useful for quickly representing building elements. You can use the detailed massing to create building elements such as:

• Structural Elements - footings, slabs, columns, and walls
• Architectural Elements - walls, façade and window panels, curtain walls, etc.
• MEP Services Elements

Note you can also use  Resources for most of such applications. Many of these resources exist in the Resources library, under Building Elements. 

See this video from our user workshops to learn more: